Washington, D.C. - In a follow-up memorandum to department and agency heads, U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James reiterated the importance of reporting adjudicative actions in personnel background investigations back to OPM.

"The completion of the personnel background investigation process is an essential element in ensuring that all federal employees meet suitability standards for their positions," said James. "Because of the functions that many federal employees perform, in many cases the correct adjudication decision can have an impact on national security. Because of this, and the fact that it is an OPM responsibility under the law, OPM will report this information to the Chairs and Ranking Minority Members of the House Committee on Government Reform and Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs."

The initial memo, dated July 9, 2003, highlighted the requirement to promptly report agency adjudicative actions to OPM on background investigations conducted for their agency by OPM. It also requested that agencies review all investigations on hand, determine whether an adjudicative action was taken and, within 60 days of the memorandum, report to OPM's Center for Investigations Services all adjudicative actions not previously reported to OPM. In addition, the July 9 memorandum indicated that OPM would institute oversight audits of the agency personnel security program if adjudicative decisions were not reported back as requested.

The September 29 follow-up memo reminded the heads of the 28 Departments and Agencies that have not fully complied of their obligation to do so, and gave them 14 additional days to complete data submissions before OPM initiates selected oversight reviews of their personnel background investigation programs.

In addition to department and agency heads, the memorandum was sent to the federal government's chief human capital officers.

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